Tattoos on teens - opinions pls

[RICHARD]

This is an easy one...


He get's his tattoo....

His DAD picks the pattern

MOM pays for it and picks where it goes...


Cam gets a tattoo!

[Queen of Poop]

I vote that you and dad discuss the permanance of the tattoo with him, ensure he picks a design that he loves, take him to a place that is clean, sanitary and has a good reputation. Then talk with the artist, discuss all the details and let him make the final decision.

I'm 41 years old, I want to have paw prints for each of my RB animals tattooed on my right shoulder walking down my back (away from me). One paw print for each missing furbaby. This has serious and significant meaning for me and will one day become reality.

[Sevaede]

Here is a good website. *WARNING - some images may be graphic.*

http://www.bmezine.com . It is very informative. It has tons of experiences, photos, interviews, etc, with people from ALL sorts of different backgrounds, cultures etc.

People with tattoos, piercings, etc, are NO less of people. You've just got to learn and know (as with EVERYTHING else) what you're doing, getting into, etc. It requires lots of forethought.

I have never met anyone who hated themselves because of the fact that they had a tattoo.

My husband has had the same tattoos for a while now. He still loves them every bit as the day he desired them. He has a green gecko on his left shoulder and a dreamcatcher in the middle of his back.

How about a henna tattoo? Have him get one in the design he likes. If he still likes it after it wears off, then talk about it again.

[Cataholic]

I am against it.

Since when does 18 mean one does whatever one wants without thought to others? It is an age, not a license. He is hardly living on his own, making his way, right?

I might chuckle, slightly, under my breath, at all the people on here that have tatoos, and haven't regretted them, for a minute, at all, love them as much as the day they got them, uh, like, well, 6 months ago, when they were 16.5 years old, at that.

I know more people with tatoos, at the advanced age of 40ish, that regret them than I do people that still love them like they did when they got them. I wouldn't hire someone with a tatoo, or a piercing, that I found objectionable, simply because of the tatoo or piercing. At 18, 20, or 22ish, that might seem so discriminatory, and you might scream, "great! I wouldn't want to work for you/such a place anyhow". But, times change. Bills need to be paid, and working for minimum wage is not that swell. There are plenty of industries that might frown on visible tatoos, or ones considered objectionable, or controversial. There are industries that wouldn't, too. Just make sure you are comfortable staying in that second camp.

They are such a permanent reminder of what can often be a fleeting fascination with something. I would rather see someone 'brand' themselves in another way.

[Sevaede]

I know more people with tatoos, at the advanced age of 40ish, that regret them than I do people that still love them like they did when they got them. I wouldn't hire someone with a tatoo, or a piercing, that I found objectionable, simply because of the tatoo or piercing. At 18, 20, or 22ish, that might seem so discriminatory, and you might scream, "great! I wouldn't want to work for you/such a place anyhow". But, times change. Bills need to be paid, and working for minimum wage is not that swell. There are plenty of industries that might frown on visible tatoos, or ones considered objectionable, or controversial. There are industries that wouldn't, too. Just make sure you are comfortable staying in that second camp.

So how else would you have people "brand" themselves? I don't see how if I got a tattoo of my cats face that I am branding myself with anything?

You would NOT hire me because of the fact that I had a tattoo? And the argument is that times change and bills need to be paid? Well, yeah, that would pretty much be the chief reason I am out actively looking for a job. I really don't understand what you meant by that whole second paragraph. So, you'd not hire someone with tattoos just because you didn't agree with them. But the reason would be that bills need to be paid and they're getting a lesson and being stuck in minimum wage forever? What about all the doctors, scientists, etc, with tattoos? http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/bme-tatt.html

My husband is 30 years old. He has had his tattoos for five and seven years. He does plan on getting more.

A tattoo does not have any bearing on your level of intelligence or capability. Yes, people should realize that they might not get certain jobs if they have visible tattoos. But you shouldn't judge your whole opinion on someone just because of a personal decision. That would be like someone not hiring someone because of them being a vegetarian.

A LOT of people get them based on historical signifigance, ancestry, ancient customs, etc. I am willing to bet that somewhere way back in your family history that there are people who got tattoos and piercings and whatnot in reverence to their religion, etc.

I *LOVE* tattoos. Always have, always will. I would not put something permanent on my body that I would regret. I am an intelligent person and I don't believe I deserve less just because of them.

I have lots of friends and family members with tattoos. Many of them have had them for 10-20+ years. I don't see why because of the fact that we have tattoos that we're bad people or deserve any less than anyone else.

(I am in no way trying to be argumentative. I just didn't understand what you meant.)

[Kfamr]

When I get the nerve to, I will be getting a tattoo of Simba's paw print. If someone chooses not to hire me because of it, I really don't want to work for them anyways.

[dionne]

I have a tattoo of a moon and a star on my ankle. Not only does this have special symbolizm to me (Dione is the name of the moon goddess, mother of aphrodite and zeus, as well as a moon of saturn), but it is also the symbol of a very hard time in my life, and my strength to pull though out of it alive.

So while I agree, there are some tattoos that are obviously unneccesary (ie: drug related, pornographic), i think they do serve well purposes, like mine in reminding one of one's strength, or in being a symbol of one's faith/religion. basically, what it comes down to, is being a symbol, and i believe that if someone feels like they need something like that (forever) as a cornerstone/reminder, than who are you to judge?

[Cataholic]

So how else would you have people "brand" themselves? I don't see how if I got a tattoo of my cats face that I am branding myself with anything?

I wouldn't have them brand themselves in any way at all. I am not into 'branding'.

You would NOT hire me because of the fact that I had a tattoo? And the argument is that times change and bills need to be paid? Well, yeah, that would pretty much be the chief reason I am out actively looking for a job. I really don't understand what you meant by that whole second paragraph. So, you'd not hire someone with tattoos just because you didn't agree with them. But the reason would be that bills need to be paid and they're getting a lesson and being stuck in minimum wage forever? What about all the doctors, scientists, etc, with tattoos? http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/bme-tatt.html

I would NOT hire someone with something that I found objectionable. I wouldn't hire someone with ten piercings on their head, with some outlandish hair style, or fashion sense. I work in a very conservative environment, and, it just doesn't seem appropriate to me, and what I see in my 'work place'. Others can do what they would like.

My comment about paying bills is directly related to a comment such as the one Kay made a few posts above. She wouldn't work for someone like me, then. I simply meant that people's attitudes about their 'rights' to express themselves sometimes compete with the job market's 'right' to hire/not hire. And, that sometimes, people might need to reconsider their 'rights' if they intend to work at something more than minimal wage, or in a more professional or traditional office enviroment.

A tattoo does not have any bearing on your level of intelligence or capability. Yes, people should realize that they might not get certain jobs if they have visible tattoos. But you shouldn't judge your whole opinion on someone just because of a personal decision. That would be like someone not hiring someone because of them being a vegetarian.

Well, then, you do see my point about it possibly limiting your job opportunities. And, it isn't the same as not hiring someone who might be a vegetarian....unless it is a big tatoo that says that. Who knows that someone is a vegetarian based on physical observation?

A LOT of people get them based on historical signifigance, ancestry, ancient customs, etc. I am willing to bet that somewhere way back in your family history that there are people who got tattoos and piercings and whatnot in reverence to their religion, etc.

While I don't know my ancestry to the point of knowing if they had tatoos...he he he, I do know that no living member of my family has a tatoo Maybe we are ALL odd...I always thought it was just me.

I *LOVE* tattoos. Always have, always will. I would not put something permanent on my body that I would regret. I am an intelligent person and I don't believe I deserve less just because of them.

Love tatoos! I certainly am not telling you to do so otherwise, nor do I think you deserve less because of one....however, that doesn't mean I have to hire you. Remember, your rights are yours, and mine are mine. As long as I am not being discrimanatory (based on the law), I am alright with my position.

I have lots of friends and family members with tattoos. Many of them have had them for 10-20+ years. I don't see why because of the fact that we have tattoos that we're bad people or deserve any less than anyone else.

Well, I don't know what to say to that comment. You have lots of friends and family that have tatoos! Birds of a feather, I suppose. I have no family members with tatoos, and I know only a few of my friends have them. Two people, exactly, come to mind. Neither of them are that 'hot' about their tatoos, currently.

[Sevaede]

I wouldn't have them brand themselves in any way at all. I am not into 'branding'.




I would NOT hire someone with something that I found objectionable. I wouldn't hire someone with ten piercings on their head, with some outlandish hair style, or fashion sense. I work in a very conservative environment, and, it just doesn't seem appropriate to me, and what I see in my 'work place'. Others can do what they would like.

My comment about paying bills is directly related to a comment such as the one Kay made a few posts above. She wouldn't work for someone like me, then. I simply meant that people's attitudes about their 'rights' to express themselves sometimes compete with the job market's 'right' to hire/not hire. And, that sometimes, people might need to reconsider their 'rights' if they intend to work at something more than minimal wage, or in a more professional or traditional office enviroment.



Well, then, you do see my point about it possibly limiting your job opportunities. And, it isn't the same as not hiring someone who might be a vegetarian....unless it is a big tatoo that says that. Who knows that someone is a vegetarian based on physical observation?



While I don't know my ancestry to the point of knowing if they had tatoos...he he he, I do know that no living member of my family has a tatoo Maybe we are ALL odd...I always thought it was just me.



Love tatoos! I certainly am not telling you to do so otherwise, nor do I think you deserve less because of one....however, that doesn't mean I have to hire you. Remember, your rights are yours, and mine are mine. As long as I am not being discrimanatory (based on the law), I am alright with my position.




Well, I don't know what to say to that comment. You have lots of friends and family that have tatoos! Birds of a feather, I suppose. I have no family members with tatoos, and I know only a few of my friends have them. Two people, exactly, come to mind. Neither of them are that 'hot' about their tatoos, currently.

Heh, okay. I understand what you mean now. Sometimes it is a little hard to convey emphasis on the stinky ol' interweb!

[Twisterdog]

... Bills need to be paid, and working for minimum wage is not that swell ... And, that sometimes, people might need to reconsider their 'rights' if they intend to work at something more than minimal wage

I agree with most of what you are saying. I'm not sure I'd hire someone with, as my husband not-so-eloquently likes to put it, "a face that looks like my tackle box." There's a kid working at our local Burger King who has PITBULL tattoed in huge, black, capital Old English letters ... all around his neck. It's scary ... truly.

But, I do also think you are being a bit extreme with the "minimum wage" thing. Thre are not ONLY two paths ... get a tattoo and forever make minimum wage or pass on the tattoo and be a rich professional.

Now, the PITBULL kid is probably never going to get a job as a bank manager or a CPA looking like that, true. But might he someday get a job as a certified auto mechanic making considerably more than minimum wage? Sure. There are a LOT of jobs that pay VERY well, that are not conservative professions. My neighbor probably easily cleared a million dollars last year as a building contractor. He's got two arms full of tattoos. Doubtful I'll EVER make that much money in a year.

I personally got my tattoos where I could easily cover them all up. I worked for a time as an accountant and a financial analyst, VERY consevative fields. I DO see your point, and I agree ... to a point. But there are a LOT of professions where the pay is MUCH more than minimum wage that aren't conservative enough to care about a couple of tattoos. I'm not talking about covering your entire body, or profanity, etc., of course. That's above and beyond.

[Cataholic]

But, I do also think you are being a bit extreme with the "minimum wage" thing. Thre are not ONLY two paths ... get a tattoo and forever make minimum wage or pass on the tattoo and be a rich professional.

Of course not. If only, eh? I guess my point, not so eloquently put, was younger people often are the people working minimum wage. And, by minimum wage, I am not literally limiting it to the state mandated minimum wage. Maybe I should have said lower wage.

Back to younger people, lower waged jobs, and tatoos.....to me, there seems to be a theory of entitlement amongst our population. Their rights vs., if you will, the establishment's rights. The attitude, "well, then, I just won't work for you if I can't wear this/have this hair/have ten tatoos/peircings/fill in the blank". I was just suggesting that how one feels when they enter the work force (and often in a lower paying job than, say, in their 30s or 40s) might not be what they are feeling when mortgages/car payments/medical bills come along, and there they are, with ten tatoos prominently displayed. Or, a face full of tackle (I like that one).

And, for the record, while I might be in a professional field, I sure ain't rich! Even without any tatoos!

[Twisterdog]

Of course not. If only, eh? I guess my point, not so eloquently put, was younger people often are the people working minimum wage. And, by minimum wage, I am not literally limiting to the state mandated minimum wage. Maybe I should have said lower wage.

Back to younger people, lower waged jobs, and tatoos.....to me, there seems to be a theory of entitlement amongst our population. Their rights vs., if you will, the establishment's rights. The attitude, "well, then, I just won't work for you if I can't wear this/have this hair/have ten tatoos/peircings/fill in the blank". I was just suggesting that how one feels when they enter the work force (and often in a lower paying job than, say, in their 30s or 40s) might not be what they are feeling when mortgages/car payments/medical bills come along, and their they are, with ten tatoos prominently displayed. Or, a face full of tackle (I like that one).

And, for the record, while I might be in a professional field, I sure ain't rich! Even without any tatoos!

I know what you are saying, and I agree with you. Especially the attitude of entitlement ... boy, oh boy, I could type several pages worth of rants about that one! But that's a different one of my dozens of soapboxes ....

I do still like all my tattoos, many years later. But, no one knows I have them unless I choose to show them. I got them for ME, they are a private testimony that no one else needs see or know about.

I think therein lies one difference between continuing to like your tattoos for the rest of your life and regretting them someday ... can your cover them up if you need to? Not only for a job interview, but for a funeral, a wedding, professional family photographs? You might not think you'll care, but chances are you will, at some point.